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Smart Money

Practical tips to save, budget, and manage money wisely.

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Budgeting Basics

Budgeting Basics

Think budgeting means giving up everything you enjoy? These common misconceptions make budgeting fee…

16 stories
Saving & Deals

Saving & Deals

Learn how to monitor price history, set alerts, and time major purchases to avoid paying more than n…

16 stories
Debt & Credit

Debt & Credit

Use this checklist to review your credit standing, calculate affordability, and prepare your documen…

16 stories
Budgeting Myths That Keep People Stuck
Featured

Budgeting Myths That Keep People Stuck

By Smart Money Editorial Team · 6 min read · Dec 16, 2024

Latest in Smart Money

Budgeting Basics Building a Budget That Survives an Irregular Income

Building a Budget That Survives an Irregular Income

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Budgeting Basics Essential Budgeting Terms Every American Should Know

Essential Budgeting Terms Every American Should Know

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Budgeting Basics Fixed vs. Variable Expenses: What the Difference Means for Your Budget

Fixed vs. Variable Expenses: What the Difference Means for Your Budget

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Budgeting Basics Habits That Make Budgeting Stick Long-Term

Habits That Make Budgeting Stick Long-Term

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Budgeting Basics Monthly Budget Setup Checklist

Monthly Budget Setup Checklist

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Budgeting Basics Pen-and-Paper Budgeting vs. Spreadsheets vs. Apps

Pen-and-Paper Budgeting vs. Spreadsheets vs. Apps

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Budgeting Basics Personal Budgeting From the Ground Up

Personal Budgeting From the Ground Up

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Budgeting Basics Spending Categories That Most Budgets Forget to Include

Spending Categories That Most Budgets Forget to Include

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Budgeting Basics The 50/30/20 Rule Explained

The 50/30/20 Rule Explained

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Budgeting Basics The Complete Guide to Building and Maintaining a Personal Budget

The Complete Guide to Building and Maintaining a Personal Budget

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Budgeting Basics Tracking Spending by Hand: The Case for Low-Tech Budgeting

Tracking Spending by Hand: The Case for Low-Tech Budgeting

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Budgeting Basics What an Emergency Fund Is — and How Much Is Enough

What an Emergency Fund Is — and How Much Is Enough

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Budgeting Basics Where Does Your Money Actually Go Each Month?

Where Does Your Money Actually Go Each Month?

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Budgeting Basics Why Your Budget Keeps Falling Apart by Week Two

Why Your Budget Keeps Falling Apart by Week Two

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Budgeting Basics Zero-Based Budgeting vs. the Envelope Method

Zero-Based Budgeting vs. the Envelope Method

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Saving & Deals Building a Simple Price-Tracking Habit for Big Purchases

Building a Simple Price-Tracking Habit for Big Purchases

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Saving & Deals Cash Back, Points, or Miles: Which Rewards Structure Actually Suits You

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Saving & Deals Common Myths About Frugal Living That Put People Off Saving

Common Myths About Frugal Living That Put People Off Saving

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Saving & Deals Couponing in the Digital Age: What's Changed and What Still Works

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Saving & Deals Everyday Habits That Quietly Erode Your Savings

Everyday Habits That Quietly Erode Your Savings

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Saving & Deals Getting Started With a Sinking Fund

Getting Started With a Sinking Fund

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Saving & Deals Practical Ways to Lower Recurring Household Bills Without Switching Providers

Practical Ways to Lower Recurring Household Bills Without Switching Providers

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Saving & Deals Savings Accounts Explained: APY, Compound Interest, and Why They Matter

Savings Accounts Explained: APY, Compound Interest, and Why They Matter

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Saving & Deals Seasonal Shopping Calendar: When Prices on Common Categories Tend to Drop

Seasonal Shopping Calendar: When Prices on Common Categories Tend to Drop

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Saving & Deals Stockpiling vs. Buying as Needed: When Each Approach Saves Money

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Saving & Deals Subscription Audit: A Checklist for Cutting Recurring Costs You've Forgotten About

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Saving & Deals The 50/30/20 Rule and Its Alternatives: Budgeting Frameworks Compared

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Saving & Deals The Anatomy of a Good Deal: How to Evaluate Discounts Objectively

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Saving & Deals The Psychology Behind Why Sales Make You Spend More

The Psychology Behind Why Sales Make You Spend More

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Saving & Deals What Loyalty Programmes Don't Tell You

What Loyalty Programmes Don't Tell You

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Saving & Deals Your Grocery Bill Is Lying to You: Hidden Costs Most Shoppers Miss

Your Grocery Bill Is Lying to You: Hidden Costs Most Shoppers Miss

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Debt & Credit Before You Take Out a Personal Loan: A Pre-Application Checklist

Before You Take Out a Personal Loan: A Pre-Application Checklist

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Debt & Credit Building Credit When You're Starting from Zero

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Debt & Credit Credit Myths That Cost People Real Money

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Debt & Credit Credit Scores Demystified: What the Number Actually Means

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Debt & Credit Debt Avalanche vs Debt Snowball: Two Payoff Strategies Compared

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Debt & Credit Debt Consolidation: What It Actually Does (and Doesn't Do)

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Debt & Credit Principles That Keep Debt Under Control Over the Long Term

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Debt & Credit Secured vs Unsecured Debt: Why the Distinction Matters

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Debt & Credit Taking Charge of Debt: A Complete Roadmap for Beginners

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Debt & Credit The Language of Debt: Key Terms You Need to Know

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Debt & Credit Ways People Make Debt Worse While Trying to Fix It

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